Charles t



(NovMode/l.)

C. T. HESTER.

l SADDLE.

No. 510,684. Y Patented Deo. 12, 1893.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES T. HESTER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO HENRY GUINARD,

OF SAME PLACE.

' SADDLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 510,684, dated December 12, 1893.

Application filed March 6. 1893` Serial No. 464,667. (No model.)

To all whom it mayconccrm Be it known that I, CHARLES T. HEs'rER, of New York city, New York, have invented an Improved Saddle, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a saddle having a tree composed of an upper and a lower metal frame which are joined by a series of connccting rods or wires. The lower frame ro serves forthe attachment of the back bearing, while the upper frame serves for the attachment of the seat. The intervening space should preferably be allowed to remain empty to constitutean air chamber which renders x5 the saddle both light and comfortable.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure l is perspective view of the saddle tree; Fig. 2 a top view thereof and Fig. 3 a cross section on line :0, zo, Fig. 2.

The letter a, represents'a lower continuous frame and the letter b, an upper continuous frame of the saddle tree. The frames a, and b are parallel and they are curved at the back and open at the front so as to have approximately the form of the letter' U. Both frames are made of wire or metal rods and are substantially parallel, being bent to the correct curves required for asaddle. Short uprights or connecting rods c, which are bent around 3c the frames a, b, serve to unite them into one firm and compact structure. At the forward ends both the frames a, b, are connected to the common neck piece d, while back of the neck piece, the gullet pieces e, are secured to the lower frame only as shown.

In ladies saddles, the neigh head f, is composed of a bent piece of wire, the rear prong of which extends down to and is turned around the lower frame a, while the front 4o prong extends beyond the frame a, and across a transverse strip d', secured to the neck piece d. Thus great strength is obtained for thatV part of the tree where strength is most required, while at the same time greater solidity is given to the head itself.

To the lower frame a, there is attached the back bearing g, formed of a strong piece of leather which is stretched across the frame from rim to rim and extends about half Way forward as shown. This back bearing forms 5o `a level surface that transmits the weight of the rider to the horses back with perfect comfort to the latter.

The seat in the saddle is'formed by tightly stretching across the upper frame b, canvas straps or a bottom h'upon which the usual y leather seat is formed.

If desired the space between the back bearing and seat may be stuifed, but I prefer to utilize it as an air cushion or chamber. The air passing constantly through this chamber while the horse is in action will keep its back cool and reduce the possibility of galling.

By the use of the upper and lower frames, Ido away with the necessity of building up what are termed bellies, thereby causing a great saving of time to the construct-or of the saddle. Moreover, the two frames at once give the proper outline to the saddle so that it may be formed without any nailing and by comparatively unskilled labor. Y

l; The combination of an upper continuous wire frame curved at the back with a parallel lower continuous wirek frame similarly curved, upright connecting rods,a neck piece to which both ends of each frame are secured, a back bearing secured to the lower frame and a seat support secured to the upper frame, substantially as specified.

2. The combination of an upper and a lower continuous frame with upright connecting rods, a common neck piece having a transverse strip cl', and with a negh head the front prong of which extends over such strip, sub- 85 stantially asspecilied.

` CHARLES T. I-IESTER.

Witnesses:

F. v. BRIEsEN, HENRY GUINAED. 

